Rep. Mike Pompeo, R-Wichita, introduced the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act this week. It would bring certainty and common sense to the regulation and labeling of genetically modified foods. I applaud his efforts.

Rep. Mike Pompeo, R-Wichita, introduced the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act this week. It would bring certainty and common sense to the regulation and labeling of genetically modified foods. I applaud his efforts.

This bill would put the regulation of GM foods firmly with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration instead of allowing a mishmash of politically driven state GM labeling laws that would confuse consumers and increase costs. FDA is the appropriate federal agency to handle this issue, using scientific evidence as guidance.

In Kansas, more than 90 percent of the corn we grow is enhanced with biotechnology, allowing us to better control damage from bugs, weeds and even drought. Most field corn is used as livestock feed or to make ethanol, or is exported.

When you look at global population growth, it is evident that we need to produce more food, more efficiently. Not only do genetic modifications increase crop yields and produce more food for those who need it, but they also do so while using less water and fewer chemicals.

There are many special-interest groups that want you to fear GMs, but science tells us differently. The FDA, guided by science, should be the ultimate authority in our nation’s GM food issues.

GREG KRISSEK

CEO

Kansas Corn Growers Association

Garnett

Israel’s headlock

Regarding Charles Krauthammer’s commentary “Arab-Israeli negotiations are a fool’s errand” (April 5 Opinion): It’s a fool’s errand because Israel is run by neo-socialist oligarchs who care only for their own narrow interests.

They claim Israel is “the only democracy in the Middle East.” But their national election by party lists gives no direct accountability to the voters, proving as corrupt as the old Soviets and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

They took the land of most Christian and Muslim Palestinians in 1948, and exploit ordinary Jewish Israelis to serve their own financial benefit.

President Eisenhower foiled their grab for free land in the 1956 Suez War. So they established the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which quickly attained the position of most powerful lobby in Washington, D.C.

Thus in 1967, Israel’s grab for free land from Arabs and Palestinians went unchecked.

The ongoing subversion (or perversion) of U.S. foreign policy to their interests has made us the object of dislike, even contempt, among so many ordinary people throughout the Middle East – and in the Muslim world.

We must break AIPAC’s headlock on U.S. policy to restore trust of the United States in the Mideast.

Don’t tell me they’re all paid by the government. All the government does is tax and redistribute the taxpayers’ money.

It seems to me what the people in this country need is a kick in the pants. If you want insurance, how about you pay for it, or at least make an honest attempt to do so?

I realize we live in the wealthiest country in the world, but it’s also becoming filled with people who think they are entitled to everything that everyone else has. No, they are not. They are entitled to get up and work like rest of us do, because that’s what real life is – going without some things and still striving to reach your goals.

I know from my own lessons of life that if you don’t have to work for it, you won’t respect it. Once you get on that freebie train, it’s hard to get off.

Most everybody was and is still willing to offer a hand up. It just seems to be turning more and more into a handout.

MARC WINTERBURG

Wichita

Thanks for news

I stopped watching the news on TV years ago and found my life to be much happier without all the hype and drama. I have been an avid reader of The Eagle for many years and so appreciate it when the newspaper informs the public of the good things that happen in our community. Several great examples were in the April 7 edition.

First was the new farm-to-school program at Maize High School. Good for them for teaching children where their food comes from and what it takes to grow it. It is an excellent program that will benefit our entire community.

And “hallelujah” to the mom who has her children enrolled in the youth volunteer program at Old Cowtown Museum. As she said, learning manners, respect for others and how to care for large animals is a rarity in today’s fast-paced world of electronics.

Plus, my grandson in Florida will like knowing about the seven “work colleges” across the country that reduce educational debt.

And I always enjoy reporter Beccy Tanner’s little stories about Kansas history. Her story about movie stars visiting Dodge City 75 years ago did not disappoint.